Part 3, Special Watch Display - The Housing




Imagine a whole array of display boxes stacked on your table. Each contains a pair or a single watch. Moving your hand near each box lights up the interior with super-bright LEDs thus revealing its content. Your friends and guests would not only be impressed with your collection but also your style of displaying them.


Each unit is battery powered and equipped with a sensor circuit that will light-up for about 15 seconds once activated. However, this timing may be adjusted.



Sounds interesting? Then let’s get started making your Special Watch Display in 8 steps!


 
Tools required

Sharp Utility-knife
Steel rule
Contact glue
Marker pen




Materials required
RIBBA Photo-frame (2pcs from Ikea)
Car solar film
Artcard 2mm thick
Velvet and satin
Watch stand (from previous project)
LEDs with Sensor Circuit (from previous project)


 
STEP 1
 
a) Purchase 2pcs of RIBBA frame. One piece will be used as the base while the other as the cover. Remove the corner-protectors and save it for another upcoming project.
 
b) Remove the glass from both the frames. Please don’t break it; store in a safe place. Put aside all the other inserts. We need only the frames and one piece of glass.
 
 
STEP 2 - Installing the hinges
 
a) Measure the length of the frame and mark locations for the hinges.
 
b) With your sharp utility knife, carefully carve-out a recess for the hinges. It should be about 2mm deep. The length and width will be the same as the hinge.

c) You may use a paint brush to clear the dust.



d) Position and screw both hinges in place.

e) I use a spacer to determine my gap between both frames so that they can be closed precisely and properly.

f) Mark the location of the other two screw holes and carve-out the recess like you did previously.



g) Your display box is now half ready with the hinges in place.


h) This display box comprises of two halves; the top half and the bottom half. Remove those retainer tabs from the bottom half of the box. We only need the tabs for the top half to hold the glass.


STEP 3

a) Measure the internal dimensions of the shadow box. 



b) As a guide from my other projects, cut pieces of artcard to make an “internal box” like this. You have a free-hand in designing your own. Picture below.


STEP 4
 
a) Paste satin over the front of the completed internal box. You will leave out the back part.


b) Insert this box into the shadow box for a trial fit before pasting.

c) Fit it from the front.

d) Once it fits nicely, apply contact glue and paste it into the shadow box. It will look like this.

e) This is how it looks from the back of the bottom half.

f) Make a piece of back plate, covered with black satin for the backing.


g) The effect I wanted to create was a “stage platform” for my watches on display. Rather theatrical isn’t it?

 
STEP 5
 
a) Cut pieces of artcard to fit the internal length and breadth of the internal box.


b) Paste a different color on it; use suede or velvet. I use a rich purple suede to add drama and highlight the area with the black satin as backdrop.

c) Make linings for all four sides of the internal box with artcard pasted with suede. Once ready it will look like this.


STEP 6 - Putting solar film on glass

a) Clean the glass with “Windex” or any cleaning agent.


b) Cut the solar film to the size of the glass.

c) Remove the transparent backing from the film.

d) Spray some water on the glass and carefully place the film over it. Use a squeegee to remove air-bubbles inside. The water helps to give you time to position the film. Once the water dries, the film is securely fixed.

 
 
STEP 7 - The "Sensor" Circuit
 
a) The “Sensor” switch is a simple circuit used here. It will turn ON the LEDs for a preset time when your hand moves close to or touches the sensor pads, and then automatically switches itself OFF.


b) The circuit is soldered on a perforated board which is commonly found in Sim Lim Tower.

c) I have previously posted this in my blog. Please read it.

 
STEP 8 - Positioning the LEDs and the Circuit Board
 
a) Plan where you want to position the LEDs such that they will illuminate your watches when placed inside. Use the watch stand from the previous project to estimate its position.


b) Drill small holes to insert your LEDs. You may also drill a slightly larger hole to allow two thin wires to pass through. Insert your board with the battery and connect it.